Storytelling in Event Planning

Foreword:
Event planning is all about telling a story. The best event planners tell such an all encompassing story that the audience is often unaware that they are being told a story. One of my favorite stories in told in event planning is the story of love on one's wedding day. Often times, the story told on wedding day is less about the audience than the authors. Wedding planners have a few hours, at most, to help the couple tell their story to the people they care most about.

Example Story:
Toni and Cameron met while living in Denver doing door to door sales. At the end of the summer they made their relationship official; the next year, in October, they decided to share their love publicly with their family and friends. At the reception, a slideshow detailing their lives, before they met, and after.

Analysis:
Wedding planners help the couple to share the important aspects of their lives together. The couple persuades their family and friends of their love, and the audience reciprocates by attending the event. The slideshow depicts the change that has occurred in their lives as their relationship progressed.

Retelling the Story:
As the slideshow plays, Toni and Cameron watch with their closest friends and family as the screen retells their story. Just hours before, Cameron cried as Toni walked down the aisle in a beautiful lace dress. "I can't believe it all started with door to door sales," Toni mentioned in her vows.

Often times the wedding planner is asked for advice on what the maid of honor or mother of the bride or father of the bride or even bride and groom should say in their speeches. As a wedding planner, it is important to help them tell their story their own way. The retold story is a little more persuasive because it helps the audience connect more, shows a little more emotion, and has a bit of a surprising ending.